29th December 2018 - Lebeq United with resounding win over Frampton

By Ron Holpin

Game of the day to watch was Lebeq United v Frampton United first and second in the table. The final result was a resounding win for Lebeq but it was a very tight first 45 minutes that produced only one goal.

Frampton were the first to show after 5 minutes when a low cross from the right was well cut out by keeper Amin Jones. There was a hold up on 8 minutes when Nathan Hall received a head injury and after treatment had to leave the field replaced by Hassankafi Ibraham. Christian Dacosta had the first chance for the home side on 18 minutes but from the edge of the box blasted well over. Frampton almost broke through on 20 minutes when Ryan Vincent went for the ball in the six-yard box but fouled keeper Jones in the attempt. Sean Lawson made headway down the left for Frampton on 24 minutes but his good low cross was cut out and cleared. Lebeq’s James Hall made a terrific break down the left but the Frampton defence somehow got it clear. A minute later Dan Payne was only just wide for the home side. The deadlock was broken on 31 minutes from a corner from the right sent over by Cameron Brown and James Hall came steaming in and thundered the ball into the back of the net with a powerful header. The best effort from Frampton came on 38 minutes a great shot from the edge of the box by Ryan Vincent and pushed around the post by keeper Jones. Frampton were still looking for the equaliser 2 minutes into added time when Ryan Vincent went very close following a Manolo Espada free kick. Although the score-line was just the one goal the home sides share of possession was greater than the visitors.

3 minutes into the second half Dacosta went close with a shot just over the bar. Frampton full-back Stuart Maule sent over a perfect cross for Joe Wilton but he headed wide. A break down the left by Cameron Brown on 54 minutes ended with Alex Barret getting injured but prevented Dan Payne from scoring. An awful foul on 69 minutes by Nathan Dennis on the edge of the box that cost him a booking also cost his team dearly as Christian Dacosta hammered the ball past keeper Sparrow for a 2-0 lead. The home side were rampant at this stage and only a great save from Sparrow denied Fabian McCarthy a third goal. Lebeq went further ahead on 73 minutes when Liam O’Neill brought down Dan Payne in the box and Cameron Brown netted from the spot. On 79 minutes Sparrow made a great save to deny Fabian McCarthy a second time and a minute later Lebeq netted they’re fourth a brilliant piece of individual skill from Dan Payne breaking from the halfway line sending in a low cross for Shah Bhakerd to drive past Sparrow. Then with just 3 minutes left the home side made it 5-0 from a great through ball from Fabian McCarthy for Shah Bhakerd to hammer past Sparrow.

A very exciting game at Rockleaze Rangers fixture at home to Gala Wilton. At one stage of the game the home side were trailing 3-1 but hit back to win 5-3. Gala looked good from the off and home keeper Lewis Brodie had to be at his best to keep out Danny Knight shot, but it was the home side who took the lead on 17 minutes with a bullet header from Rory Langdon after Jay Moore had sent over a pin point cross. A mistake in the Rangers defence allowed James Bowers to level on 24 minutes and on 37 minutes Gala were leading after Danny Knight cut in from the flank and laid the ball on for Harlie Price to tap home. Gala went further ahead on 50 minutes after the ball broke to Harlie Price following a goalmouth scramble and he made no mistake slotting the ball past Brodie. Rangers were well down at this point but five minutes later left full-back Nick Jones gave them renewed hope when he cut in and unleashed a great right footed shot past keeper Dan Brabham. Just another five minutes on the clock and Rangers were level after Sub Dan Webb’s low cross was knocked in at the far post by Rory Langdon. Rangers got their noses in front on 71 minutes when Gala keeper Brabham’s mistake gave Ali Boyer the chance to score. Rangers completed the scoring on 80 minutes when Zach Dale squared the ball back for Dan Webb.

Broadwell Amateurs bounced back from their 4-0 defeat at the hands of Ruardean Hill Rangers on boxing day with a 4-2 victory over Southmead CS Athletic. The visitors started the game looking the better side and against the run of play Broadwell took a 6-minute lead and it came from a cross wide on the right by Harry Williams that the Southmead keeper completely misjudged and the ball finished up in the back of the net. Justice prevailed on 15 minutes when Kyle Wootten turned on the edge of the box and lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 1-1. That was the score at the break but Broadwell went ahead again on 60 minutes from a corner that fell nicely to Greg Lewis to drive home. Three more goals in the last five minutes of the game two for the home side and one for the visitors. On 85 minutes Danny Latham cut in from the left and drove a fierce shot past keeper O’Keefe to make it 3-1 and 2 minutes later an own goal from Southmead increased the lead to 4-1. The visitors got their second goal right on the 90 minutes when Kyle Wootten netted from the penalty spot after a handball incident in the box.

Stonehouse Town gained three more points with a 2-1 win at home to Patchway Town. There were early chances for both sides as Adam Philp set up Luke Soule but his effort was just wide - meanwhile at the other end Dan Bendall was only just off target for Patchway. The home side had a great chance to take the lead on 15 minutes when Tim Williams rose above everyone to head a cross from Adam Philp home but it just cleared the bar. The home side went ahead on 26 minutes when the Referee allowed play to continue after Adam Philp had been fouled on the edge of the box only for Tim Williams to be allowed to curl the ball past Burgess into the Patchway net. On 43 minutes the home side made it 2-0 from Alex Kibbles corner that came to Liam Gale on the edge of the D and he fired it past Burgess. Then right on half time Patchway hit back Dan Rees turning the ball in from a corner. The second period failed to produce any further goals but the home side had several chances that they wasted.

A great result for Little Stoke picking up three points away at Wick with a 3-1 win. Sam Thomas got the home side off to a great start and gave them the lead after just 4 minutes with a close-range finish. Jordan Yeo was unlucky with a free kick from 25 yards on 20 minutes for Little Stoke, but he made up a minute later with a cracking shot that stuck the inside of the post on its way in. With the visitors playing quite well Wick Keeper had to be at his best when he fisted away another good cross into the box. The Little Stoke keeper Ollie Jones kept his side in the game with a brilliant save from a Charlie Stevens header. Little Stoke then cleared off the line on 61 minutes and at the other end a Stevens cross should have been put away by Jordan Scott but he shot wide. With the home side having the better of the play it came as a bit of a shock when Jordan Yeo scored a second to put Little Stoke 2-1 up in the 75th minute then with just 5 minutes to go Ethan Tucker struck again for Stoke to make the final score 3-1.

Henbury had chances to win their home game with Ruardean Hill Rangers but failed to convert. The first big miss came in the first minute of the game when a low hard cross found Jimmy Potts on the far post unmarked and he missed the target. In the 29th minute the home side surrendered the ball to Rangers leading scorer Luke Johnson and found themselves trailing 1-0. Just 3 minutes later they gave it away again in a dangerous position and this time Luke Brown scored to give Rangers a 2-0 lead. Henbury did manage to pull a goal back in the 41st minute when Adam Rosser swung the ball into the box and Jack Bebbington headed home. The scoring finished there with no clear-cut chances created by either side in the second half.

Hardwicke entertained AEK Boco with the visitors going away with a 2-1 win to help their attempt to climb the table. The first 10 minutes both sides looked a little cagey but the visitors scored on 12 minutes when Josh Brown was put clear of the home defence. Straight from the restart Hardwicke levelled the score. Keiran Brice-Ingles was fouled and from the resulting free kick Will Matthews headed home. For the next 72 minutes play was fairly even with both sides fighting it out in midfield then in the 85th minute Boco grabbed the winner a tremendous shot hit the crossbar rebounded to Harvey Sealey and he drove the ball home. In the last few minutes of the game the Hardwicke keeper Scott Eales brought off a couple of great saves to deny Boco going further ahead.

26th December 2018 - Ruardean win Forest derby

By Ron Holpin

A great turn out for this derby where 212 spectators saw the home side Ruardean Hill Rangers win the forest dual against Broadwell Amateurs 4-0.

For the time of year, the weather was quite mild but it had created a mist over the pitch which prevailed for most of the game but did not impair viewing.

The home side got off to a great start and took the lead on 4 minutes when Luke Johnson found Shaun Tingle on the left and he cut in to drive the ball past the Broadwell keeper Sadler from a very tight angle. Rangers made it 2-0 on 17 minutes when Luke Johnson hooked a great cross from Luke Brown past the helpless keeper. Rangers netted again on 36 minutes through Luke Johnson but it was ruled out for offside. Broadwell struggled throughout the first 45 minutes and never really troubled Aaron Underwood in the home goal.

Rangers increased their lead to 3-0 on 50 minutes with the two Luke’s, Brown and Johnson were at it again as Brown sent Johnson down the left flank before Johnson pulled the ball back for Brown who struck an unstoppable shot into the right top corner from 25 yards out. There was no stopping Rangers when Stuart Cornwell-Boote picked up the ball 35 yards out ran at the Broadwell defence skipping past several defender before slipping the ball past the oncoming keeper who tried to shut him down and in trying to clear Jono Bowdler could only hit the ball into his own net. Rangers 4-0 to the good allowed Broadwell a little more space and possession and they were unlucky on 68 minutes when Guy Jones’s near post header was well saved by Underwood. The visitors tried hard to get something out of the game as they pushed forward near the end but good defending by Rangers kept them out.

24th December 2018 - Hanham boss happy with progress

By Simon Parkinson

HANHAM Athletic’s encouraged boss John Barker weighed up his team’s current position in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League standings and insisted: "We’ve done so well to get to where we are."

Whilst the Vicarage Road side head for an away date on the outskirts of Gloucester with bottom-placed Gala Wilton tomorrow (2pm) occupying an unassuming-looking tenth spot, the fact Hanham are as high as they are represents something of an accomplishment given several testing previous years which hit new depths as they limped home bottom of the pile last term.

Barker has overseen a slow but sure recovery mission and he reasoned: “I feel we’re heading in the right direction still. We’ve consolidated well and we’re improving all the time.

"We all know the club experienced a troubled time of it over the past couple of years so this season has gone better than some may have expected.

"And our home form has been especially encouraging. Since we lost (3-0) against Stonehouse back in August we’ve gone seven games unbeaten at our place which is nigh-on miraculous!

"We’ve become really difficult to beat at home and I’m not quite sure why, although I’m not complaining!

"We don’t set up any differently but I do feel we’ve deserved a bit more from our away games. We’re definitely more resilient defensively and the amount of people who have been coming to watch our home fixtures – we’re getting around 100 spectators in each time which is possibly the highest in the County League on average - is great.

"So the change that has taken place here has been fantastic and if we continue in this vein over the second half of the season, a top-eight finish is achievable."

A tough sequence of fixtures of late has seen a more uncompromising Hanham outfit reap points from 1-1 and 2-2 draws with Wick and Hardwicke and a memorable 1-0 victory over ambitious leaders Lebeq United to further fuel spirits.

"We did get beaten 2-1 at the start of the month by Rockleaze Rangers on their new 3G but they would be the first to admit we deserved a point," Barker maintained.

"In our last game against Wick we were 1-0 up until the 91st minute when they equalised.

"So we could easily have come away with seven points from those three games with Wick, Rockleaze and Lebeq and it’s a real pointer as to where we are.

"We thoroughly deserved to beat Lebeq and although they did hit a post with a free-kick, aside from that they didn’t create much at all.

"As regards the club as a whole, it’s fair to say our reserves are struggling a bit in District One and we’re not quite sure why that is.

"It’s something we’re looking to improve but our A’s in District Five, and our under-18s, are both looking good so there are lots of positives there."

The Vicarage Road leader has been trying to top up his squad of late, a front-man among the targets, and he revealed: "Hopefully one of them will be signed and sealed in time for the Gala trip this weekend.

"We have no squad worries going to the game and everyone should be available, which means 18 or 19 people to pick from as usual."

22nd December 2018 - Gala Wilton move of bottom with five goal display

By Ron Holpin

Gala Wilton moved off the bottom of the table with a very convincing win over Hanham Athletic. The visitors had much the better of the 15 minutes and saw Jack Camm’s shot from distance fly over the bar after 13 minutes. Gala’s first attempt on goal after 16 minutes came from Jay Dare but the shot was high and wide. Gala took the lead on 19 minutes after Hanham full back Ben Francis missed the ball out on the left, it was picked up by Danny Knight to run at goal - his shot looked an easy take for the visitors keeper Mason Hawkins but he let it slip through his arms and into the net. On 21 minutes home keeper Lewis Skyers punched clear from a Jack Camm free kick to deny Hanham an equaliser. On 25 minutes Skyers again saved well from Jack Baber shot. The home side made it 2-0 on 27 minutes from a corner sent over from the right by Jay Dare and headed home by Jason Littleton. On 36 minutes Jason Littleton struck the Hanham crossbar with a cross shot from just inside the box.

Gala’s Dan Creed was the first to have a shot on goal in the second half but it went well over. Both Gala and Hanham made changes midway through the second half then on 67 minutes Emmanuel Burnett struck the Gala crossbar with a great shot from the edge of the box and Jack Baber pounced to drive the ball home from the rebound. The home side took a 3-1 lead on 78 minutes from a good attack and the ball moving around in the box somwhow staying out of the net before an clearance came out to substitute Cameron Rees and he hammered the ball into the Hanham net from 20 yards. On 86 minutes a great cross field ball from Martin Smith found Jamie Bowers to run clear and hammer the ball past Hawkins. At the other end Emmanuel Burnett had a great chance for the visitors but lifted the ball over the bar. With six minutes of added time the home side were ruthless, firstly Danny Knight had his shot tipped over the bar by Hawkins, then Harlie Price hit the crossbar for Gala and with just a minute of the added time to go a great ball through for Price to slip the ball past Hawkins to make the final score 5-1.

Stonehouse Town kept up their challenge for the title with a 3-0 win at Little Stoke. They took an early lead on 5 minutes when a scuffed shot fell nicely to Luke Soule to tap in. The second on 15 minutes was a class goal from Adam Philp bringing the ball down from height before finishing in the bottom corner. The home side had a great chance to pull a goal back on 40 minutes from the penalty spot but Luke Meacham’s penalty was saved by keeper Will Pedrick. The miss was followed by melee of pushing and shoving and Stokes Luke Meacham received his marching orders. Stonehouse scored a third on 60 minutes when Adam Philp found himself all alone to tap the ball home. The last effort of the game fell to Little Stoke’s Russ Church on 80 minutes but he failed to guide the ball home from a good cross from Jordan Yeo.

Rockleaze Rangers are having a torrid time at home these days going down 2-1 to Patchway Town after leading 1-0 at the break. Rangers thought they had scored on 19 minutes when Ali Boyer found the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside. Then on 24 minutes Patchway’s keeper Sam Burgess brought off a great save to deny Dan Webb opening the scoring. Five minutes later Webb was unlucky when he struck the up right from a free kick. At the other end Patchway’s Luke Garbacz also hit the crossbar. A couple of minutes before the break Rangers took the lead when Ali Boyer headed home from a corner. In the 54th minute a mistake by Rangers Brad Thomas failing to cut out a Dan Bendall cross and Phil Vice was on the far post to tap home. Rangers Rory Langdon then rattled the crossbar with Burgess well beaten and Freddie Shorts 30-yard screamer clipped the top of the crossbar on 77 minutes. Patchway grabbed the winner in the 80th minute when Sam Finns flicked header squeezed into the corner.

Frampton United entertained Hardwicke in today’s local derby with the home side taking the three points with a 4-2 win. A great start by Frampton going ahead in the 1st minute from a cross into the box that was dummied by Ryan Vincent and Manola Espada slipped the ball home. On 20 minutes Hardwicke keeper Tom Kaye saved well from Finlay Byrnes, then on 28 minutes Ryan Vincent was through on goal but Kaye saved his shot - it rebounded to Joe Wilton who drove the ball through a crowd of players to finish up in the back of the net. On 43 minutes Hardwicke pulled a goal back when Kieron Tracey slotted home. But within a minute the home side made it 3-1 when Ryan Vincent sent Adam Bloomfield clear. Hardwicke hit back again and on 62 minutes made it 3-2 when Will Matthews bundled the ball home. It took the home side 2 minutes to get a fourth and final goal as Ryan Vincent latched onto a Josh Beadle pass round the keeper and slid the ball home.

A 4-0 defeat at the hand of leaders Lebeq United and the win by Gala Wilton has sent Southmead CS Athletic to the bottom of the table. Dan Payne gave United the lead after 10 minutes following a free kick. The home side had a great chance to level on 25 minutes as Mohamed Rabia was through on goal but shot straight at the keeper. United made it 2-0 on 55 minutes when Christian Dacosta’s cross was turned in by Dan Payne for his second of the afternoon. 10 minutes later it was 3-0 to Lebeq after the referee gave a penalty for handball and Aaron Cornwall netted from the spot. The visitors wrapped it up on 70 minutes when the ball was cut back for Christian Dacosta to fire home.

15th December 2018 - AEK edge out Ruardean to reach cup semi

By Ron Holpin

Les James League Cup Sponsoned by Boca Teamwear

Dreadful weather conditions played a big part in today’s Les James League Cup 2nd Round matches with three games going ahead and one postponed. In the three games that took place only one goal was scored in open play over the three matches.

AEK Boco entertained Forest of Dean side Ruardean Hill Rangers for a place in the Semi-final. The pitch was heavy at the start and got increasingly heavier as the game progressed with rain falling from time to time. The home side started the better and the first shot from Jacob Saunders after 2 minutes went wide of the post. A curling free kick wide on the right from Frank Taylor-Fox after 12 minutes caused some confusion in the Rangers box but they did manage to get the ball clear. A long range shot from Jacob Saunders on 25 minutes went straight to Aaron Underwood in the Rangers goal. At the other end Rangers Shaun Tingles shot on 26 minutes flew just past the far post. Then a couple of minutes later Luke Brown ran at the home defence before laying the ball off to Luke Johnson whose shot on target from a tight angle was well saved by Liam Jacques. The home side then saw Cash Vinall’s drive bring Underwood into action again diving to save the shot. A couple of minutes later Underwood was in action again this time bringing off a very good save to deny Frank Taylor-Fox. On 34 minutes Rangers were unlucky when Charlie Mason struck the crossbar from a free kick. The home side should have taken the lead on 35 minutes when Josh Brown delivered a great low cross to the far post but Saunders hit the ball over the top from close range. The home side took a deserved lead on 38 minutes with a brilliant interchange of passes through the Rangers defence with Freddie Taylor-Fox pushing the ball through to brother Frank Taylor-Fox to smash it past Underwood. Boco almost got a second on 40 minutes when Cash Vinall lifted the ball over the Rangers defence for Frank Tayler-Fox but he his shot past the far post.

In the 52nd minute Underwood brought off a great save to deny Saunders putting the home side two up pushing the ball around the post for a corner. From the corner Rangers rode their luck as the ball hit the post and Underwood secured the rebound. Rangers never really tested Jacques in the home goal in the second half until the 65th minute when the keeper saved well from Luke Johnson. The last real chance to score fell to Cash Vinall on 75 minutes but he hit his shot well over the bar.

Little Stoke go through to the semi-final after holding Frampton United to 0-0 at the Bell Field. Best chance in the first half fell to Frampton on 44 minutes from a free kick from Manolo Espada to the far post that was stabbed past the post by Sean Lawson. 2 minutes into the second half Kris Bulley put Jonathan Lewis clear but his shot was well saved by the Stoke keeper. On 72 minutes a long shot at the Frampton goal was spilled by keeper Sparrow but Jordan Yeo following up shot wide. In the penalty shoot out Stoke won 8-7.

Gala Wilton and Henbury also failed to find the back of the net in 90 minutes although Jack Bebbington tested the home keeper with a 20-yard drive on 10 minutes and Adam Rosser went close with a header on 29 minutes. The home side faired better in the second half and James Bowers 25-yard shot had keeper Cameron Tarr saving well. Henbury went down to 10 men on 65 minutes when Ross Johnson was sent off for a bad tackle. The home side improved and Jason Littleton’s shot was only just wide. Sam Webb headed just over from a corner and Danny Webb missed a sitter when he shot straight at Tarr. In the penalty shoot out Gala went through 3-2.

The other match in the Cup between Hanham Athletic and Stonehouse Town was postponed.

League Games

Just two league fixtures today, the game between Southmead CS Athletic and Broadwell Amateurs ended in a 1-1 draw. The home side took the lead on 3 minutes when Frank Stallard was brought down in the box and Otis Francis put away the resulting penalty. The visitors hit back in the 60th minute when a great ball was played into the box Harry Williams nipped in and tucked it into the net. Disappointment in the 85th minute when 3 players were sent off one from Southmead and two from Broadwell.

Exciting game at Wick where today’s visitor’s were Rockleaze Rangers. Wick had the better of the opening exchanges but it was Rockleaze with the first attempt on goal on 15 minutes a shot from Dan Webb that was well saved by keeper Joe Pople. Rangers went ahead on 25 minutes the home side failing to clear from a corner and Ali Boyer drove the ball home. 5 minutes later it was 2-0 and again it came from a corner this time headed home by Mike Perham. Joe Thomas almost got one back on 60 minutes when he cut in from the flank but his shot was deflected wide. The fight back came in the 80th minute when Ben Daniels netted from 12 yards for the home side and 5 minutes later Charlie Stevens stroked the ball home from a Joe Pople free kick. Disappointment for Wick when Dan Webb grabbed the winner in the 88th minute.

11th December 2018 - Lebeq United aiming for promotion

By Simon Parkinson

LEBEQ United’s experienced skipper Twaine Plummer weighed up his side’s position at the head of the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League ladder and declared: "We have to ram home our advantage this time."

The 32-year-old centre-half, a former front-man with Radstock Town, Odd Down, Brislington, Bristol Manor Farm, Taunton Town and Bradford Town among others, admits last season’s promotion miss had been a "big disappointment" after a promising start had set the pulses racing within the Oaklands Park camp.

Instead they had to suffer the agony of watching Thornbury Town breeze past them to land not only the league title but elevation to non-League Step 6 Hellenic League status.

Plummer, who unexpectedly hit the nation’s screens with regular appearances on Channel 4’s Gogglebox alongside brothers Tristan, now a Frome Town performer, and Tremaine, believes he knows why Lebeq slipped out of the reckoning in 2017-18 and feels they are much better equipped now to deal with the considerable challenges to come.

"We had a very young side and our game management wasn’t all it could be at times," he said. "We’d go gung-ho going for more goals in the latter stages of games and that approach cost us vital points. And injuries didn’t help either.

"This year we have older heads to count on and we’ve been doing better under pressure because of it."

That injection of experience includes left-back Aaron Cornwall, keeper Amin Jones, central midfielder James Hall, ex-Brislington winger Fabian McCarthy, one-time Clevedon Town midfielder and striker respectively Kevin Camargo and Mitchell Page, plus veteran former Hallen striker Tom Collett, who is on a dual registration agreement with Cribbs.

"Kevin has been such a calm and classy presence in our midfield and James is our engine in there, our legs, who makes us tick as an old-fashioned tackling type," Plummer acknowledged. "Having lads like these who have played at a higher level has helped a lot.

"We also have Rick (TJ) Davis, a versatile attacker, on dual registration from Frome, although unfortunately he picked up a knee injury playing for the Sunday side in our (4-1) FA Sunday Cup defeat by Portland in Croydon recently.

"We’re not sure how long he’ll be out for and it’s a shame as he was a big part of our side last season.

"We have quite a few dual registered players including my brother Tristan, Neikell, my cousin, and my nephew Elan.

"Cameron Brown is another very good player, a luxury No.10 type who rose through Bristol City’s ranks with Bobby Reid there and is one who can easily play at a much higher level as he makes his way back from an ACL injury."

Lebeq headed into last weekend's away encounter with 11th-placed Henbury enjoying a four-point lead at the summit and Plummer enthused: "We’re very excited and feel this should be our year. That’s the goal and expectation in the changing room.

"Every time we play in this league people tell us we should be performing in a higher league and that can lead to extra pressure. But then we put pressure on ourselves anyway.

"We’re targeting the Western League and had anyone said to me five years ago, when we were setting out as a Saturday team as part of a historic community set-up on Stapleton Road, that we could find ourselves in with a shout of entering the FA Cup over the next few years, I’d have struggled to believe it.

"It’s in our own hands but we have to keep going because there is undoubted threat from the likes of Frampton, Stonehouse and Ruardean Hill."

8th December 2018 - Fast starting Lebeq win at Henbury

By Ron Holpin

A game of two halves at Arnell Drive where Henbury entertained league leaders Lebeq United. Right from the off Lebeq attacked the home goal and went ahead after just 26 seconds when keeper Cameron Tarr saved well from Plummer’s shot but the rebound was struck home by Christian Dacosta. The home side might have levelled on 4 minutes from a free kick taken by Luke Cox that was blocked the ball eventually falling to George Loud but Lebeq keeper Amin Jones saved well. Another good save from Jones keeping out Louds point blank effort on 17 minutes saw the striker receive an injury and had to go off later after trying to run it off. Lebeq should have scored a second on 31 minutes from a break down the left by Christian Dacosta whose low cross into the six-yard box found Elan Plummer right in front of goal but his contact with the ball was poor and it went straight up into the air for Tarr to collect. The visitors made it 2-0 on 41 minutes from a good cross into the box from the right by Sheldon Sawyer that found Elan Plummer to fire past the keeper who just managed to get his hands to it but it finished up in the back of the net.

The second half belonged to the home side with the first chance falling to Joe Cox on 57 minutes as he broke clear of the visitor’s defence but his poor shot was gathered by Jones. A couple of minutes later Harvey Moran cut in from the left flank slipped the ball to the unmarked Joe Cox whose 20-yard shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Amin Jones. On 63 minutes a cross from the left gave Jensen Manning a great opportunity to score but he missed the ball completely. The home side kept pushing and Adam Rosser was unlucky in the 80th minute with a 30-yard drive that went just past the post. Another chance went begging on 83 minutes when Substitute Sam Fitzpatrick was clear on goal but his shot failed to beat Jones. Henbury may have lost this game but they created enough chances to have won it.

Frampton United sitting in second place travelled to Ruardean Hill Rangers lying in fourth position in the table and came away with the three points with a 4-1 success. Outfield player Nathan Dennis was between the stick for Frampton today and saved well from Rangers Luke Brown early on. Another chance for Brown on 20 minutes after a good build up resulted in the ball flying over the bar. Dennis was in action again on 43 minutes turning Luke Browns shot over the bar. Then right-on half-time Luke Johnson was put clear by Kane Fellows but his shot went past the post. There was a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and although the home side had been the better side in the first 45 minutes, they had nothing to show for it. Frampton’s Ryan Vincent then opened the scoring when he latched onto a long ball to fire past Underwood for the first of his four goals of the afternoon. It was Vincent again making use of the long ball and the wind to score number two and then made it 3-0 when he was put clear on goal. Steve Coombs pulled a goal back for the home side late on but Vincent completed the scoring on 80 minutes to make it 4-1 to Frampton all the goals arriving in the second half.

Rockleaze Rangers results on their new ground has been one win and two lost and they went down 2-1 at home to Stonehouse Town today. Rangers almost opened the scoring on 7 minutes but town keeper Will Pedrick brought off a great save to deny Marcus Williams. The visitors went ahead on 28 minutes when Alex Kibble fired the ball into the top corner giving home keeper Lewis Brodie no chance. Rangers levelled the score in the 60th minute when Mark Ridgeway gave keeper Will Pedrick no chance from 18 yards. Stonehouse almost got a second on 72 minutes but for a Freddie Short block on the line. Town netted the winner in the 80th minute when Liam Gales shot took a wicked deflection over Lewis Brodie into the Rangers net.

What a come back from AEK Boco trailing 3-0 at Southmead CS Athletic to gain a point in a 3-3 draw. The home side went ahead on 15 minutes when Aysa Corrick volleyed home from 30 yards. The scoreline increased to 2-0 on 30 minutes when a free kick from Otis Francis was spilled by the Boco keeper and Adom Heron was on hand to knock it in. A 35-yard shot from Otis Francis 3 minutes into the second half made it 3-0 and the cards were on the table, but Boco hit back on 50 minutes with a break down the flank by Jacob Saunders who cut in to fire the ball home. Boco struck again on 58 minutes when Southmead’s John Henson handled on the line and was dismissed. The referee awarded a penalty and Saunders stepped up to make it 3-2. In the 80th minute Boco were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Cash Vinall sent the ball whistling into the bottom corner.

Broadwell Amateurs visit to Hardwicke was very successful coming away with a 4-2 win. At one stage in the game they were leading 4-0. Broadwell took the lead on 15 minutes when Liam Jacques squeezed his shot just inside the post from 30 yards. The home side were unlucky on 28 minutes when Jed Johnson’s shot went just over the crossbar. Then a few minutes later Will Higgins saw his shot pushed over the bar by keeper Sadler. Broadwell went two up on 53 minutes from a great through ball from Gary Lewis to Harry Williams to run clear and score. Just 2 minutes later it was three nil Greg Lewis heading home from a corner. Broadwell made it 4-0 on 66 minutes this time it was Danny Latham netting from a corner. Hardwicke eventually found the back of the net on 83 minutes from a James Ratcliffe corner that was headed clear but Will Higgins lifted the ball back over Sadler. The home side got a second two minutes from the end when Pat Vernall headed home a James Ratcliffe corner.

A real local derby between Patchway Town and Little Stoke with just a mile between the Clubs. Little Stoke almost scored after 8 minutes as Ash Wells cleared off the line for Patchway. On 14 minutes the visitors had another chance to open the scoring but Luke Meacham fired over. The home side had a great chance in the 25th minute when Dan Rees was clear on goal but his effort was smothered by the Stoke keeper. Stoke went ahead on 30 minutes when a cross into the box found Tim O’Loughlin to fire past Sam Burgess in the home goal. The home side levelled the score up on 40 minutes when Dan Rees scored. Burgess then saved Luke Meacham’s effort from point blank range on 50 minutes, but a minute later Ethan Tucker put Stoke ahead again. Dan Rees netted his second of the afternoon on 73 minutes to level the score again the goal coming when Stoke’s Matt Price and the keeper got into a muddle with Price heading the ball over his own keeper to allow Rees the simple task of running the ball into an empty net. The winner came on 80 minutes when Joe Dalby set up Luke Garbacz to make it 3-2.

98 spectators turned up for the game at Hanham Athletic where today’s visitors were Wick. The game ended all square with the first chance falling to Wicks Sam Thomas after 25 minutes his shot hitting the post from a 20-yard free kick. The home sides first real chance on 40 minutes was a great shot from Joe Treasure that was really well saved by keeper Joe Pople. The home side took the lead on 60 minutes from a Jack Camm free kick that was headed back across goal by Sam Brown and Luke Clapp tapped the ball in from 5 yards. The home side might have made it 2-0 but George Cryer missed the chance. It looked as though the home side had done enough to earn all three points until the 90th minute when Keiron Hutson popped up to score from a corner.

3rd December 2018 - Wick looking to build on Trophy performance

By Simon Parkinson

WICK supremo Mike Strawford is steeling his men for a challenging spell as he strives to send them into the Christmas sabbatical fit and flying.

The Oldbury Lane outfit are enjoying a splendid second season in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League and appear on course to better their eighth-place 2017-18 exploits if the first half of the campaign is anything to go by.

Wick approach tomorrow’s stern away test with Stonehouse Town (2pm) fifth on the ladder with an impressive six wins and four draws to their name from 12 fixtures thus far.

And whilst they head to Oldends Lane to lock horns with their third-placed hosts without a win from four league and cup outings in the lead-up, Strawford feels they can enter the contest brimming with belief.

Wick, by their leader’s own insistence, "should have" beaten title challengers Frampton United in their last league appearance, which they followed up with an encouraging first-half showing in a GFA Challenge Trophy third round tussle against Cadbury Heath on the Toolstation Premier Division side’s own imposing Springfield patch.

"We started off really well in that one and played some lovely football for the first half-hour or so," the Wick boss acknowledged.

"Shaun Morris put us one-up from the penalty spot after Sam Thomas had his heels clipped inside the box, before Cadbury Heath came back to lead 2-1 at half-time and score twice more in the second half as we tired.

"It was always going to be a good gauge, to see where we stood against the bigger boys, and 4-1 in my view flattered Heath although we didn’t look after the ball or get it forward quickly enough as we had been doing at the start.

"Against Frampton we were the better side without a doubt, although they were the ones leading 1-0 when our central midfielder Charlie Stevens was sent off for a second bookable offence which we felt was a bit harsh.

"We pushed our keeper Joe Pople up their end to try and rescue the situation and it worked as he was pulled down for a penalty and Shaun Morris stuck it away again.

"You’ll always take a draw in those circumstances but because we’d dominated the game it was still a bit frustrating we didn’t get more from it."

Strawford surveyed what’s to come and stressed: “Stonehouse are a good and organised footballing side who play on a nice big pitch, so it should be a good game.

"The following Saturday we go to Hanham Athletic and that should be a good competitive match too as a lot of my old players have gone there, whilst their manager John Barker was my assistant here last year."

First things first and Wick travel to Stonehouse with no suspended Stevens to call upon. Jordan Scott will be assessed for a knock, while fellow forward Jay Hubbard is set to return from a lengthy lay-off with a persistent back condition.

The visitors also have winger Liam Henderson in their ranks again and his pleased manager explained: “Liam joined us in the summer but opted to move to Shirehampton to start with.

"But he’s back with us now and he did really well in the Cadbury Heath game on his first appearance which bodes well."

1st December 2018 - Patchway hit five to beat Gala Wilton

By Ron Holpin

Patchway Town’s Dan Bendall was the scourge of the Gala Wilton defence throughout the game when he was not scoring, he was creating chances for his team mates. He opened the scoring for the home side after 4 minutes after the ball had been worked down the left and Bendall cut into the box and fired past Gala keeper Luke Skyers at the near post. Galas first chance on goal came in the 13th minute after the home side had conceded a free kick on the right side of the box 25 yards out. Dan Creed took the kick but his curling left foot shot went past the far post. The visitors second effort on goal on 22 minutes was a good shot from 25 yards out by Dan Knight that also went past the post. Patchway made it 2-0 on 23 minutes when the ball was played up to Bendall and his shot from the edge of the box gave Skyers no chance. A tremendous shot from Gala’s Dan Knight had home keeper Sam Burgess diving full length to divert the ball away. The two teams had just about shared possession in the first 45 minutes but it was the home side with the two-goal lead at the break.

Gala started well in the second half and almost pulled a goal back in the first minute when a goal-bound shot from Marc Edwards was cleared off the line by Dave Talbot. But it was the home side who had been under a bit of pressure in the early stages of the second half that broke away and increased their lead in the 53rd minute when Phil Vice’s low cross into the six-yard box was parried away by Skyers but it fell nicely for Luke Garbacz to drive home from 14 yards. Gala were really unlucky in the 63rd minute when Jon Clay saw his header fly past the helpless Burgess only for it to hit the post and bounce back into the keeper’s arms. Just 3 minutes later they scored a really good goal and it came from a great move down the left and the cross in was neatly flicked past Burgess in the home goal by Billy Wintle. The home side hit back with a fourth goal and again it was Bendall involved as he broke down the left and cut back and sent the ball across goal for the unmarked Dan Rees to stroll through and hammer the ball past Skyers. Bendall almost got his hat trick on the 88th minute but just failed to get on the end of a great low cross from Dan Rees. But we did not have to wait long just 2 minutes as he latched onto a long ball up the middle and ran on to fire past Skyers. He almost grabbed a fourth in time added but his excellent shot was well saved by the Gala keeper.

After two defeats in a row Lebeq United got back to winning ways after travelling to the Forest of Dean to meet Broadwell Amateurs. They got off to a flying start after 4 minutes when Fabian McCarthy picked up the ball on the edge of the box and drove the ball home. The home side levelled on 17 minutes through Liam Thomas who picked up a great pass from Ben Fishwick. Just 3 minutes later Lebeq retook the lead Dan Payne twisting and turning before driving the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle. In the second half the home side had their fair share of possession but were unable to find the break through and conceded a third goal on 75 minutes. A short corner was played into Cameron Brown whose shot was saved by the home keeper but it spun away to Christian Dacosta to drive into the net.

Frampton United closed the gap to one-point last week but slipped up at home today to struggling AEK Boco who must be very pleased that they have at last recorded their second win of the season. A game of very few chances until the last 10 minutes. Ryan Vincent had his shot well save by Boco keeper Liam Jacques on 27 minutes and Jacques again saved from Vincent in the 63rd minute but should have been put away by Sean Lawson who struck the rebound over the bar. Nathan Dennis gave Frampton the lead on 85 minutes with a well struck free kick that went under the wall into the bottom corner. 4 minutes later Boco drew level from a brilliant overhead kick from Jacob Saunders and in the 95th minute they grabbed the winner when Cash Vinall turned in the box and smashed the ball home.

A home win for Rockleaze Rangers against today’s visitors Hanham Athletic. All the goals came in the first 45 minutes with the first on 14 minutes when Joe Weare played in Dan Webb who neatly put Hawkins on his backside as he drifted around him to slot the ball home. Marcus Williams set up Dan Webb on 31 minutes to net his second this time Hawkins almost got his hands to it. Hanham hit back in the 38th minute when a long range shot from a tight angle was deflected into Rangers net. In the second half Mike Perham hit the crossbar for Rangers following a corner and Dan Webb’s effort looked to have gone in but it hit the stanchion on the goal.

Ruardean Hill Rangers v Southmead CS Athletic - Abandoned

Hardwicke v Henbury - Postponed

Stonehouse Town v Wick - Postponed